'Make adoption your first option'!

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The Peninsula Guinea Pig Rescue was created in 2009 to assist with the
multitude of unwanted and abandoned Guinea Pigs in the Peninsula
region. To date, we have rescued over 280 Guinea Pigs and placed them
with wonderful loving families. We pride ourselves on offering healthy,
well socialized, child friendly pigs to ensure the best fit for your
family!

Did you adopt your guinea pig from us? Would you share your piggy's story for all to hear. Send us the story of your rescue pig and please enclose a photo.

RESCUE PIGS ROCK!

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'LICE ARE NOT NICE'

Did you know that skimping on cage cleaning and bedding changes to save money actually damages the health of your pet? You aren't actually saving money, you're setting yourself up for a hefty veterinary bill. During WWII, servicemen in the french trenches suffered terribly with lice and other illnesses due to their filthy living conditions. For your guinea pigs, this is avoidable! A cheap solution and a little elbow grease go along way to keeping those vet bills at bay! Always wipe out your empty cage each week with white vinegar to ensure you remove any lingering waste and urine deposits (that white crust). Cleaning your cage properly will remove odor and create a healthy environment for your pet. Lice are tiny white wriggly worm like larvae that you can find on the face and around the ears of your pig. Temperament changes, scratching and aloofness are all symptoms that a pig is becoming unwell. Hairloss, biting at the fur or skin, seizures and eventually death are inevitable if left untreated! Your vet can easily treat this with a dose of small cat/kitten REVOLUTION parasitic medicine. Do not use any other cat based medicines - they are not safe for pigs! You can also help your pig by bathing it with a a small animal lice shampoo (again, ask your vet) which will decrease the discomfort.

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FLU SHOT? DID YOU KNOW YOUR PIG CAN GET THE FLU TOO?

Your Guinea Pig can contract the flu virus from you or a family member. Upper respiratory infections are very common this time of year and urgent action on your part is vital to keep your pig alive!
Dangers signs include:

Lack of appetite or movement.
Wheezing
Crusty discharge in eyes or nose
Rapid breathing/grunting.
Hunched position or sitting in one corner or reluctant to come out of housing.
Remove your pig from his or her cage mate immediately!

Please seek veterinary care immediately as waiting will often result in your guinea pig succumbing to this deadly illness! Guinea Pigs will hide the symptoms for up to five days before becoming overpowered and sicken quickly!

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THE BITE ON MITESInformation courtesy of www.Guinealynx.com.Photograph from Peninsula Guinea Pig Case File.

Mange Mites Trixacarus caviae

Mange mites can kill. These microscopic mites burrow under the skin and cause severe
pain. You may notice scratching, biting, hair loss, and in serious
cases, seizures. Severe infestations can be life threatening. If you
suspect your guinea pig may have mange mites, treat them all (they can be
carriers while not showing signs) as soon as possible. Ivermectin is
the treatment of choice. Multiple doses are necessary because ivermectin
does not kill the eggs.
Mange mites are not zoonotic. On rare occasions they may cause
some temporary itchiness for sensitive people but cannot reproduce or
live on humans.

SIGNS:These species specific microscopic mites cause unbearable itchiness for the animal and can result in thinning and/or patchy loss of hair, scurfing of the skin (may resemble dandruff) and eventually, open sores as a result of extreme scratching and biting which aggravates the hair loss.
Scratching an area of skin infested by mites by hand may produce such
pain and irritation in your cavy that it looks like it's having a fit. A
guinea pig suffering from mites may become irritable, lethargic, show signs of biting or nipping and be
reluctant to interact with its owner.

TREATMENT: Mite infestations are generally
treated with Ivermectin by injection, orally, or topically (usually
placed on the skin behind the ears because the fur is so thick). Two or
more doses spaced 7 to 10 days apart are required. Ivermectin appears to
be safe used on pregnant cavies but is best not used on guinea pigs
under 12 ounces (approx. 340 grams).

Treat any or all guinea pigs and ensure your hay supply is of good quality. A good source of vitamin C either through crushable tablets, water soluble drops for the water bottle and also a good varied fruit and vegetable diet are a basic must!

Clean the cage, and any wipeable surfaces (igloos, toys) after treatment. White vingear is one of the best and safest cleaning materials on the market.

Did you know that most Veterinary Clinics and Pet stores charge from $10 - $25 to clip your pigs nails!
We would like to introduce our Spa package which includes a bath and blow dry, coat conditioning treatment, ear cleaning, nail and callus trim and dry foot pedicure treatment for $25.00 per pig. It's time for spring cleaning and you want your pig comfortable and looking his or her best!